uch is our intention at present, if we can get a license
for mining."

"The license is obtained easily enough--government is very happy to
receive ten shillings per month for the privilege of allowing a man to
try his luck," the inspector answered, with an attempt at a laugh.

"Then if you will oblige us by getting a license, we will commence
operations to-day," Fred answered.

"Why, you are in a hurry," Mr. Brown replied, seating himself
composedly, and lighting a pipe which he carried in a small box in his
pocket.

"Wouldn't you advise us to commence mining?" I asked.

"To answer you frankly, I would not, because I know that you can do
better than by spending your days under ground, and emerge at night to
find that you are killing both mind and body."

"Why do you speak of working under ground?" I inquired. "Is not mining
the same here as in California?"

"Bless your heart"--and Mr. Inspector Brown smiled at my
ignorance--"don't you know that at Ballarat a shaft has to be sunk many
feet below the surface of the earth, and after you have reached the
layer of dirt in which the gold is found, you are obliged to work upon
your hands and knees, and excavate for many feet in different
directions, until at last you break in upon some other miner's claim,
and are compelled to retreat and sink a new shaft?"

This was all news to us, or if we had heard of it before we had not
given the subject any attention. A new light broke in upon us, and we
began to consider.

"Breakfast is all ready," said Smith, just at that moment.

We had brought a few luxuries with us from Melbourne that were unknown
at the mines, and I saw the eyes of the inspector sparkle as he snuffed
the perfume of the fried potatoes and warm chocolate.

"Will you join us, Mr. Brown?" I asked, extending an invitation that I
knew he was dying to receive. "We have not much to ask you to share, but
such as it is you are welcome to." "Well," he answered, "really, I
don't know as I feel like eating at so early an hour, but--"

Smith opened a hermetically sealed tin canister, which he had been
warming in a pot of hot water, and the steam of fresh salmon greeted our
olfactory nerves.

"What!" cried the inspector, with a look of astonishment, "you don't
mean to say that you have got preserved salmon for breakfast?"

"If you will really honor us with your presence at breakfast you shall
he convinced of the fact," Fred answered, politely.

"Say no more; I'